The Name On The Drum, Ilan Lax and Brian Bedingfield & The Staniland Band Live @ MiTH

MiTH – 26 February 2025

Venue: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

Entrance: R50.00 (Cash or Zapper at the Door)

Info: 082 331 7271

8:45 PM – The Name On The Drum

The Name On The Drum is an alternative, folk, and indie band with a wide range of sounds. Squalling electric guitar, subtle percussion, harmonicas, and acoustic guitars feature in their distinctive sound, along with a unique blend of honest, thought-provoking song-writing. The writing, composition, recording, and production is done by brothers Ben and Nat Bruzas.

Their music contains two very different styles that seem to complement each other while adding variety and dynamics. Their philosophy around what they create is very much, “If it makes you feel something, keep it.”

The Name On The Drum has performed around South Africa, including touring Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. They took part in Darling Brew’s “Just Make Music” competition, which saw them taking to the stage in Darling, Western Cape, at their winter fest, alongside acts such as Die Heuwels Fantasties and Karen Zoid. The Name On The Drum has also been featured at several music festivals including the renowned Splashy Fen.

The Name On The Drum have released two EPs and some single that are available to listen to on any streaming platform.

7:45 PM – Ilan Lax and Brian Bedingfield

Ilan Lax is a soulful, poetic singer and musician who performs an eclectic mix of blues, reggae, folk-rock covers and original material. He is well known to MITH aficionados and will be joined for this set of some of his favourite covers mixed with a few original songs, by the legendary multi-instrumentalist Brian Bedingfield on vocals, guitar, banjo and mandolin.

Ilan and Brian are part of the group that brought you the Into the Mystic – Van Morrison, and the Neil Young tribute shows. They have collaborated over many years in different ways and their natural charm and musical synergy is a pleasure to listen to.

7 PM – The Staniland Band

Formed in 2017, The Staniland Band (previously Jorongo) is a proudly amateur outfit with blues roots that plays original songs with a South African cadence, as well as new banjo music sounds, and folk-flavoured covers.

Ron Gevers, who features on cajón, drums, and vocals, has accompanied a number of musical outfits, such as The Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters at Splashy Fen. He still lends his musical talents to various bands to this day.

John Goodall, who brings some vocals, guitar, blues harp, and banjo to the mix, has composed a fair number of folk and blues songs. He had been a solo artist playing in music venues in Eshowe, Zululand, and Pietermaritzburg before being invited to join The Gloucester Blues Project (of Pietermaritzburg). The band played for over 10 years chiefly in KZN, including Splashy Fen, and Blues Train, and at Botswana gigs before disbanding.

Muzi Kubheka, who plays alto and tenor saxophone, joined The Staniland Band in 2022. His saxophone playing has filled out and brought a new depth and dimension to the Staniland repertoire.

The Staniland Band has played primarily in and around Pietermaritzburg – sometimes joined by other musicians. The band has played at Post Postino, MiTH, local coffee shops and supper venues, and recently, at Music in the Mountains in the Champagne Valley.

ABOUT MiTH:

KZN Midlands’ favourite music venue! MiTH is a platform for beginners, pros, and music lovers to celebrate the joy of music.

Every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Hilton.

Food and soft drinks for sale. Cash bar available.

Visit www.mith.co.za for more info or email mithbookings@gmail.com to perform.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH:

Take the N3 to Hilton. Turn into Hilton Village and drive 5.2km along Hilton Avenue, which becomes Dennis Shepstone Drive. Look for Knoll Drive on your right; the entrance to MiTH is the second left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.